On what was an empty stage days ago, the Lady Antebellum Pavilion is now crowded with equipment and workers.

The grass fields of the Evans Towne Center Park will soon be filled with cheering fans. With only hours until Lady A takes the stage for the Welcome Home Dedication Concert, workers are busy setting up for the performance and putting finishing touches on the park grounds.

“We’ve just got little things left to be done,” county Construction and Maintenance Division Director Matt Schlachter said. “But for the most part, everything is done.”

County workers installed sod outside the park along Evans Towne Center Boulevard and last-minute landscaping around the fringes of the newly-constructed park.

Others are busy setting up the sound system, the VIP area, tents and tiered seating.

Papa ‘N’ Sons owner Dino Dakuras was busy setting up his vendor tent and cooking equipment, just in case showers later in the day delay setup.

The National Weather Service predicted a 50 percent chain of light rain for the evening with temperatures possibly dipping into the 40s.

County officials already had advised concert-goers to bring rain coats because umbrellas won’t be allowed.

Lady A members Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley grew up in Columbia County and are 2000 Lakeside High School graduates.

Columbia County Commission Chair Ron Cross said the concert is a great way to dedicate the pavilion and again celebrate the opening of the new park.

“It is different than we normally do, I can tell you that,” Cross said after escorting Lady A’s publicity team around the park on a golf cart Friday morning.

The park will be closed to the public today until gates open at 4 p.m. The concert starts at 6 p.m. Lady A is expected to take the stage at 8 p.m., following shows from opening acts Stewart & Winfield and Corey Crowder.

During the show, county officials will unveil a plaque dedicating the pavilion to the band.

Then, the group will launch into a mostly acoustic set.

The stage at the Lady Antebellum Pavilion is named for Josh Kelley, a pop and country musician, and brother to Charles.